Faculty

We are honored to introduce you to our amazing teaching staff:

Jo Anderson Jo has been married to Brian since 1996, and is blessed by her children, Hannah, Abigail, Evangeline, and Weston. She has been educating her children at home since 2001, with much support from Brian. Jo became a Christian at the age of 25, and has devoted her Christian life to the teaching and discipleship of women and, more recently, children. Jo received a B.S. in Finance with a minor in Spanish from Northern Illinois University, and later a Master’s Level Certificate in Biblical Studies from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. She was on staff at Willow Creek Community Church for six years, involved in leadership development, discipleship, and Biblical teaching. Jo has a strong desire to help students develop a Christian worldview, defend their Christian faith, and express themselves eloquently, in both written and oral forms.

Jacqui Bryant Jacqui has spent 3 wonderful years married to her husband, Jordan Bryant. They are new parents to a beautiful baby boy, Carter. Jacqui grew up in a Christian home and became a Christian at age 5; however, she believes she really started seeking and following Christ in junior high. She loves spending time with and encouraging the people around her. Because she enjoys worshiping God through song, Jacqui sings on the worship team at her church in Gurnee, Illinois. She also played college volleyball for Trinity International University and got her B.A. in Elementary Education. Jacqui is passionate about loving students and helping them grow to their full potential, so she is excited for this new opportunity to invest in students’ lives.

Linda Bryant Linda Bryant has been married to Ron for 32 year. They have three children and one grandson. Homeschooling her children was a great joy and she continues to love teaching other children to inspire a love of words. She has been a Christ follower since her youth, attended Wheaton College, and currently attends Willow Creek Community Church. Being exposed to excellent literature while home schooling, Linda has developed an interest in discovering history through literature. It also provides a vehicle to understand the human condition. It is her hope that students will grow in their love of learning through exposure to other times and places while reading and studying excellent literature. She is also passionate about the power of communication through words whether spoken or written. A good book and a knitting project are never far from her fingertips.

Jennifer Burns Jennifer is happily married to David Burns and the mother of three boys – Ryan, Bradley, and Nicholas. Jennifer has been a Christian for almost thirteen years after having been raised in a Jewish home. She believes strongly that her life’s purpose is found in Galatians 6:9-10: “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” Jennifer adores being in the classroom with our amazing C.C. students. She is delighted to help teach students how to think logically and critically about the world around them. Jennifer has her master’s degree in Marketing from Northwestern University.

Stefanie Caterer Stefanie Caterer is currently finishing her degree in Cultural Anthropology from the University of Wisconsin at Madison. Stefanie has been teaching her children at home since 2005. Since coming to the knowledge of Christ and accepting His forgiveness and salvation in 2000, she has been passionate about His Word and living a life joyfully submitting to the truth and principles within it. Stefanie loves exposing children to the fascinations of different worlds and situations in great literature, and helping them to view it all through a God-centered lens. She has been married for seventeen years to Josh, who is a songwriter and an on-staff Worship Leader at Village Church of Barrington. They have two completely different children- Elliot and Phoebe, who are her favorite adventurers.

Tammy Chapman Tammy received her B.S. in Physical Therapy from Bowling Green State University and worked as a Physical Therapist for nine years. During that time, she was privileged to work alongside her husband in planting their church. She always loved her healthcare career, but her greatest passions were teaching the Bible and shepherding people to help them grow in their relationships with Jesus. Having three children, her mother’s heart longs for her kids to love Jesus and His Word. She yearns for them to know the ways of the Lord, to be equipped to live for Jesus no matter what comes their way, and to be a beacon of Christ’s love and hope to this world. Tammy gave her life to Christ over 30 years ago. As a high school student, she was surrounded by passionate lay teachers and fell in love with the Word of God. She is excited to foster this same passion into the hearts of our students as they study the Bible and encounter Christ together. Tammy has been married for over 24 years to her best friend and the person she admires most in the world, Scott. They have three beautiful children: Josiah, Charis, and Faith.

Somer Chevrier Somer graduated from Trinity International University in 2001, with an Elementary Education degree and a minor in music. After college she spent five years teaching 2nd Grade at Northwest Suburban Christian Academy in Lake Zurich. She has been happily married to her husband, Ryan, for almost 13 years and has four spirited children. Along with being a wife and a mother, Somer has maintained her joy for music by teaching piano for the past seven years. Somer has a deep desire and love for creating a positive learning environment for her students. She organizes her teaching methods to foster various learning styles. It brings her great joy and honor to promote a creative and encouraging classroom environment where she can share God’s love with her students.

Joelle Chidlow Joelle graduated from Pennsylvania State University with a BA in Art. She and her husband, Dan, have two daughters, Emily age 22, a Senior at Moody Bible Institute majoring in Bible and Vocal Performance and Sokea, 15, a student at CC. Both girls have always been home schooled. Before becoming a mom, Joelle worked for Apple Computer as a Senior Financial Analyst and an Incentive Representative. She also designed an art program for the Chatham College summer program in Pittsburgh for Exceptionally Gifted Children in the Arts. Joelle’s desire is to bring a high caliber of art instruction to home schooled students. She wants to provide a solid foundation in art theory and art appreciation through projects that reinforce or add to topics that the students learn in Omnibus and Science. She wants children to gain an appreciation of God as Master, Artist, and Creator of the universe through their keen observation of the world around them. In addition, Joelle wants children to see the value and results that come from patience and perseverance while in the pursuit of excellence as they work through longer, more involved painting projects and techniques.

Kimberly Cho Kim is blessed to be married to Peter since 2001 with three precious children Caleb, Timothy, and Selah. Growing up in Wheaton, she accepted Christ as her Savior during a summer camp in fourth grade then later re-committed her life to Christ as Lord in high school. Having the assurance of Jesus' saving love in her heart at a young age was instrumental and life changing as the Lord used it to grow her heart to invest in the lives of children. She has a deep desire to see children grow in their understanding of the Lord's great love for them personally. Kim is excited to use "His-story" and connect it to the Bible to learn more about God and his people through years past. Kim graduated with a BS in Speech and Hearing Sciences from the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign. She worked as a Speech-Language Assistant before she was called to serve as a Sunday School Director/Pastor. She served over ten years at a growing church, developing and implementing a new children’s ministry, while staying home with her young children. She is in her fourth year of homeschooling and is looking forward to serving the students and families here at C.C.

Rachael Dadabo It’s hard to believe that seven years have passed since I began teaching at C.C.! This year I am looking forward to teaching Omnibus and Classical Rhetoric. I've been teaching ever since I graduated from college in 2003, when I received a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and Spanish from Asbury University. While in college I was fortunate to study abroad in Spain and travel to several different countries such as Morocco, Cuba, and Mexico. My home church is Fox Valley Church where I am involved on the World Outreach Team because of my passion for missions and global human rights. I'm an ESFJ who never drinks coffee. My husband and I celebrated our tenth wedding anniversary in June and are homeschooling our 2nd grader, preschooler, and toddler. You can find me at C.C. grading essays and reading Omnibus books on my Kindle.

Christos Dimoulis Christos Dimoulis recently completed his undergraduate studies via accelerated distance learning. He currently holds a Bachelor’s Degree in History from Thomas Edison State College in New Jersey. A former home-school student himself, he wishes to pursue a legal degree with which he can defend the Christian faith and the rights of home-school families across America. He has led the Eveready Speech and Debate Club for the last four years, having competed in the National Christian Forensics Communication Association (NCFCA) throughout his high-school years. In addition to teaching speech, debate, and apologetics at the Eveready Club, Christos has served as the Classical Rhetoric I instructor at the Classical Consortium, as well as the Biology and History instructor at the Heritage Homeschool Workshops cooperative in Elgin.

Kari Dykhouse Twenty-five is Kari’s favorite number. Christmas is on the 25th, she was born on the 25th, and her wedding anniversary is the 25th. Good things happen on the 25th! Her love of numbers translates to her love of math and watching things click for students. She graduated from Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan, with a degree in education including minors in math and social studies. She went on to earn her master’s in education from Whitworth University in Spokane, Washington. She and her husband, Matt, have been married since 2005 (on the 25th of course!) and they have two children, Peter and Marijke. They attend Wildwood Presbyterian Church in Wildwood.

Christine Hrinowich Christine Hrinowich is the wife of Tom and mother of five children. She has been home schooling since her eldest was in kindergarten. Christine has a Bachelor of Arts from DePaul University in Communications with a concentration in linguistics. Since high school she has enjoyed learning languages and has taken several years of Spanish and Latin. Her goal is to encourage the students to enjoy learning and discovering the use of language through Latin and Spanish.

Shanté Kee The study of science has always led Shanté to stand more deeply in awe of God and all that He has intricately created. Shanté is blessed to be married to Samuel, and they cherish the gifts of their two boys. She graduated from The Ohio State University with an M.S. in Biology, emphasis in Ecology. Her professional endeavors include working in pharmaceuticals and teaching upper level biology. Her desire is for her students at Classical Consortium to see the truths of Psalm 19:1-2 as they study science, “The heavens declare the glory of God, the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge.” Shanté counts it a joy and a privilege to share her enthusiasm for God and His creation with students via science.

Stephanie Ludwig Stephanie has been married to Chris since 1999 and is mother to three children: Nathan, Abigail, and Isaac. Stephanie graduated magna cum laude from North Central College with a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology and a minor in Secondary Education. She taught Biology and Intro to Physics and Chemistry at Waubonsie Valley High School and 8th grade Science at Barrington Middle School, Station Campus. During that time, she also coached the dance squads at both schools and led her high school team to the state competition three years in a row, placing in the top five each year. Stephanie is a member of Fox Valley Church, where she loves serving the Lord as the Director of the Gospel Institute and the church’s wedding coordinator. Her hope is that through teaching science at C.C., her students will agree, “Great are the works of the Lord, they are pondered by all who delight in them.” Ps. 111:2

Jennifer Miller Jennifer received her Bachelor’s of Science degree in Business Administration / Marketing from Colorado State University in 1990 and her Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Spanish from the University of Minnesota in 2000. In addition, she earned a Certificate of Advanced Studies in German from the American Graduate School of International Management (Thunderbird) in Phoenix, Arizona, in 1993. Jennifer has lived and studied abroad in Australia, Wales, Germany, and Spain and has traveled throughout Europe and Asia. She received her teaching certificate in Secondary Education from National Louis University in 2005 and taught high school Spanish at Prairie Ridge High School in Crystal Lake. Married for 21 years to Derek Miller, they have three beautiful children, Eliza, Benjamin and Oliver. Jennifer has been following Christ since 1999. This will be her third year teaching at Classical Consortium.

Elizabeth Ricci Elizabeth Ricci received her Master of Divinity from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, Illinois. She received her Bachelor of Arts with a major in political science from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. Elizabeth and her husband, Gary, are church planters with Converge MidAmerica, and Gary is currently the senior pastor of New Hope Christian Community in Round Lake. Elizabeth also served as a missionary in Albania just after communism fell in the mid-1990s. Elizabeth has a passion to see the next generation of Christians raised up to think critically and express their faith clearly and winsomely. She loves homeschooling her children and in her spare time enjoys running triathlons and playing bass--but almost never at the same time.

Alex Rodriguez Alex Rodriguez is married to Margaret, and they have three beautiful daughters - Arianna, Lilly, and Angelina. Alex served three years in the United States Army, and in 2007, entered into a saving relationship with Jesus. He received a B.A. from Trinity International University in biblical studies and is currently pursuing a Masters of Divinity with and emphasis in pastoral care. Alex absolutely loves teaching at C.C., and his passion is for each student to see and savor the beauty of God in the face of Jesus Christ. “One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple (Psalm 27:4).”

Ching-Ching Rojas Ching-Ching Rojas received a BA in Applied Mathematics from Fu-Jen Catholic University in Taipei, Taiwan. She also received an MA and completed the PhD course work in Applied Mathematics from Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia. She and her husband, George, started homeschooling in 1995, continuing until their children, David and Jessica, graduated from high school. A Christian since 1995, Ching-Ching is grateful that God has given her the opportunity to become a part of the homeschool community and to grow closer to Him by being involved in a Christ-honoring educational environment. Her goal in teaching is to build her students confidence so that they will enjoy and be proficient in math.

Lisa Romero Lisa and her husband Dennis have three children: Denver, Delaney, and Dario. The Lord has really impressed upon their hearts the importance of raising kids who love Him and want to live their lives for Him. Dennis and Lisa have been involved with their church’s Children’s Ministry for the past seven years. Both Lisa and Dennis became believers in Christ as adults. Having yearned for a relationship with God as children, they are very passionate about teaching children who the Lord is, how much He loves them, and how to live a life that honors Him. Lisa received her Bachelor’s degree in Biology from the University of Illinois. She went on to obtain her teaching license from the University of Southern Colorado. Lisa taught 5th and 3rd grades in public schools for eight years.

Jennifer Sandberg Jennifer has a passion for teaching and desires to use it to glorify God. As a small child she would “teach” anything that would sit still and listen. God led her as a young adult to Bethel University where she received her degree in Education. She currently lives in Elgin with her husband (Pete) and their five children (Alyssabeth, Cassandra, Joshua, Kariana, and Margretta). Whether it is teaching grammar at CC, mathematics at Judson University, Bible lessons at Fox Valley Church, or homeschooling her five children, she loves to see the excitement in students’ eyes when they grasp a previously misunderstood concept. As a lifelong learner, she also desires to increase her knowledge and understanding, especially as it relates to her relationship with Jesus Christ.

Arlona (a.k.a. Katherine) Schulz Arlona has a Bachelors in Mathematics from Illinois State University. Since graduating, she has tutored all levels of Math. Arlona is now working on a Master’s of Education. She became a Christian at age seven. Arlona is passionate about helping students see the beauty of Creation through Mathematics.

Peter Sipes Peter has been teaching Latin and Physics at Classical Consortium for seven years. As a Latin teacher, he wants to help students learn Latin--a language that sharpens students’ rhetorical skills and vocabulary as well as serving as a foundation for the civilization of the Christian West. As a physics teacher, he wants students to see the wonder and glory of God’s creation. He is a (mostly) stay-at-home father to two small children. Growing up in a Christian family, he accepted Christ as a young man. He graduated from Rockford College in 1996.

Katie Zak Katie graduated from the University of Illinois in Champaign with a degree in Nutrition. The year she graduated, her husband Paul also completed his MBA at U of I, and they were married. Seventeen years later, they have three daughters and one son and live in Mt. Prospect. This will be their ninth year homeschooling. Katie has been teaching Shurley Grammar to her children at home for seven years and enjoys it even more during the last class of the day with the G2-G4 students.